Danville, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Wreck of the Old 97

Photographed By Craig Swain, February 17, 2013

1. Wreck of the Old 97 Marker

Inscription. Here, on September 27, 1908, occurred the railroad wreck that inspired the popular ballad, "The Wreck of the Old 97". The southbound mail express train on the Southern Railroad left the tracks on a trestle and plunged into the ravine below. Nine persons were killed and seven injured, one of the worst train wrecks in Virginia history.

Erected 1947 by Virginia Conservation Commission. (Marker Number Q-5B.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1838.

Location. 36° 35.733′ N, 79° 23.55′ W. Marker is in Danville, Virginia. Marker is on Riverside Drive (U.S. 58), on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Danville VA 24540, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Mills Along The Dan (approx. ¼ mile away); Frederick Delius (approx. 0.4 miles away); Centennial Celebration of the Danville Tobacco Association (approx. 0.4 miles away); This Trough (approx. 0.4 miles away); North Danville (approx. 0.4 miles away); First State Bank

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(approx. half a mile away); Danville's Streetcars (approx. half a mile away); The Wreck of Old 97 (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Danville.

Also see . . .
1. Wreck of the Old 97 recording. A 1925 audio recording of the ballad. This was the first platinum* recording in the United States. This in the era of hand-cranked phonographs. *Platinum is the RIAA designation for more than one million copies sold. (Submitted on February 17, 2013, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

2. Video - Wreck of the Old 97. From a member of the Danville Historical Society. (Submitted on February 17, 2013, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Photographed By Craig Swain, February 17, 2013

2. Wreck of the Old 97 Marker

Ravine beside the Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, February 17, 2013

3. Ravine beside the Marker

Wreck of the Old 97 image. Click for full size.

via WikiCommons

4. Wreck of the Old 97

Photo apparently taken a few days after the wreck. The engine has been righted for recovery.

“Wreck of the Old 97” — Vernon Dalhart image. Click for full size.

Public Domain, via Discogs, 1925

5. “Wreck of the Old 97” — Vernon Dalhart

RCA Victor record label for a “Mountaineer’s Song with harmonica and guitar.” No. 19427 side A. The first recording to sell more than a million copies in the United States alone. The first “platinum” record.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 20, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 17, 2013, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,481 times since then and 96 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 17, 2013, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 5. submitted on March 20, 2024, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.